In many ways, the path was always there for me. It just took me a while to see it.
I have created websites and online content ever since I was a kid.
First came the Piczo sites. Then, a short-lived YouTube channel, before my blog era started.
I’ve been through countless different domains, platforms and topics. But the main idea remains: I have always loved writing. And I’m good at it.
From online hobby to career
Back when I was 13 and sharing posts about my everyday life in Qatar and (questionable) fashion choices, I never thought I would make online writing and web development my career – let alone my business.
For a while, the dream was to be a magazine journalist or news broadcaster. I never imagined myself being a business owner.
So while a lot of my friends studied business, I went with journalism and a Bachelor of Arts.
After graduating, I didn’t know what was next, but I knew I was done studying. So I applied for lots of different jobs and ended up saying yes to one in Malta.
The move that changed everything
Looking back, I admire the 21-year-old who moved to a (tiny) island she had never visited before, all by herself. And I am also so grateful for her, as that move completely changed the course of my life.
In Malta, I met my (now) husband, I started to climb the career ladder, and most importantly, my mindset changed.
I got more ambitious. More confident.
I started working in a role that combined writing, editing and project management, then moved into a team leader role. I was managing hundreds of freelancers across 20+ languages and learnt so much along the way.
But it didn’t take long until I started to feel stuck. I was working so much for a company that, in the end, wasn’t mine.
I craved more.
We moved countries, and I found my forever home in Spain. And then, it was time to find the next step in my career.
Taking the leap
So in 2021, I quit my job to go freelance.
I didn’t have any Plan B, no safety net, or lots of clients lined up. All I knew was that I needed a change.
I started as a freelance writer/translator, mainly working with agencies that needed my services as one of their vendors.
It felt like an “easy” start, but there were definitely many challenges along the way. Especially because a lot of my clients had strict and established payment terms, often paying 30–60 days after a job was completed.
It still didn’t feel like I was working on my own terms.
From freelancer to business owner
So I decided to make my terms clear.
I created a brand around my services and standardised my fees. More importantly, I started to onboard new clients, where I worked directly with the end product. No agencies taking a cut and running the show.
This way of working came with a new set of challenges. Suddenly, I realised that it wasn’t just about producing the content I was asked to create. It was about creating a business around me.
Being self-employed means you have to do it all yourself (or hire someone else to do it). It’s not just about delivering a task, but everything around it: marketing, outreach, client communication, invoicing, and so on.
It’s about having the flexibility to work whenever and wherever you want. But in the end, instead of a 9-to-5, you have a 24/7.
Being able to adapt
I would argue that no job or career is ever safe. If you are in the hands of an employer, you could potentially be fired any minute.
But of course, being self-employed comes with its own set of stresses – including financially. So in the end, it’s about being smart.
Ever since the start, I have had clients come and go. But especially since the boom of AI in 2022/2023, I noticed a shift in the demand for my services.
And so I chose to adapt accordingly.
I have witnessed a lot of writers being fully against AI, but I have tried my best to be open to it and use it as a tool whenever fitting. I’m not relying on it or allowing it to eat away at my creativity, but at the same time, I’m not oblivious to it.
By continuing to learn and grow, I have stayed relevant and realistic.
One metaphor I have always liked is that you need to build a solid enough table that if one of the legs gets cut off, it can still stand.
Basically, another way of saying that you can’t put all of your eggs in one basket.
In business, it’s about finding the balance between being niche enough to have a clear demand for what you do, while broad enough that your entire business doesn’t depend on one service, one client or one way of working that could disappear in the blink of an eye.
The birth of Easy Web Partner
For many years, it felt like both my husband and I were trying to reinvent the wheel.
We’ve tried a lot of things that didn’t stick. And we’ve been close to launching some projects that were never executed.
And then, after a while, we realised that we don’t need to do anything unique. We just need to be the best at what we do.
After years of working side by side on different projects, we joined forces to combine our expertise in content, tech and sales. Together, we could offer something much broader than either of us could on our own.
And so, Easy Web Partner was born.
The importance of the people you surround yourself with
The most important lesson I have learned through my career so far is to surround yourself with people who inspire and support you.
Being an entrepreneur can feel lonely at times, especially if you are a solo entrepreneur or part of a small team.
Being able to talk about business highs and lows with others who understand what it all entails, without any doubt or judgement, is simply necessary.
Throughout my career, I have crossed paths with so many amazing freelancers and entrepreneurs who truly inspire me. Being part of that sphere has truly given me a new perspective.
I will always cheer on anyone who takes the leap of faith to do something of their own; to make something of themselves. And I am always honoured to be part of someone’s journey whenever my expertise is needed.
